Grandstands



Dec. 24, 1957 c. MACKINTOSH GRAIQDSTANDS 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Oct. 9,1951 L & INVENTOR Dec. 24, 1957 r c. MACKINTOSH 2,817,1211

GRANDSTANDS Filed Oct. 9. 1951 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 ATTORNEYS GRANDSTANDS 4Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Oct. 9, 1951 ATTORNEYS 1957 c. MACKINTOSH 2,817,121

GRANDSTANDS Filed Oct. 9, 1951 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 /flfi INVENTOR BY 92,5";d4

ATTORNEYS United States Patent GRANDSTANDS Charles Mackintosh, LosAngeles, Calif.

Application October 9, 1951, Serial N 0. 250,509

14 Claims. (Cl. 20-1.126)

This invention relates to folding grandstands or bleachers, andpreferably to stands of the type which comprise hinged or pivoted framescarrying seats and footboards and adapted to assume a sloping orinclined position when opened for use or occupancy, but capable of beingfolded together to vertical positions to occupy a minimum of floor spacewhen collapsed.

The subject matter of the invention is similar to that disclosed in mycopending applications Serial No. 122,683, filed October 21, 1949, nowPatent No. 2,663,913, and Serial No. 132,013, filed December 9, 1949,now Patent No. 2,663,914.

The general object of the present invention is the provision of a noveland improved folding grandstand, of the same general character as thosedescribed in my earlier applications, but with additional improvementsconcerned with the eficient pivoting of the hinged sections of thestand, the actuating of the locking toggle associated with thedisplaceable supporting leg or frame for sustaining the live load, andthe enclosing and locking of the several parts of the stand in collapsedor folded condition.

More specific objects of the invention include the provision of a novelgrandstand having more than two pivoted seat supporting sections hingedtogether at their adjacent ends and adapted to be folded intoparallelism when the stand is collapsed into condition for storagebetween periods of use.

Other objects and features of novelty will be apparent from thefollowing specification when read in connection with the accompanyingdrawings in which certain embodiments of the invention are illustratedby way of example.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a view in vertical section of a grandstand embodying theprinciples of the invention, the stand being in opened position readyfor use;

Figure 2 is a fragmentary detail view in vertical section and on anenlarged scale of the hinge portion of the stand, taken on line 2--2 ofFigure 3;

Figure 3 is a fragmentary transverse vertical sectional view taken online 33 of Figure 2;

Figure 4 is a fragmentary view in horizontal section taken on line 44 ofFigure 2;

Figure 5 is a detail View in elevation of one of the dollies forsupporting a forward section of the stand especially during opening andcollapsing movement;

Figure 6 is a similar view of one of the live load supporting legframes;

Figure 7 is a view in side elevation of the stand in closed or collapsedposition against the Wall of the building;

Figure 8 is a vertical sectional view similar to Figure l of anotherembodiment of the invention comprising a three-section grandstand;

Figure 9 is a fragmentary vertical sectional View of the first hingesection of the stand shown in Figure 8;

Figure 10 is a similar view of the second hinge section of the stand;

Figure 11 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on line 11-11 of Figure10;

Figure 12 is a fragmentary horizontal sectional view taken on line 1212of Figure 10;

Figure 13 is a View in side elevation of the stand in closed or foldedposition;

Figure 14 is a fragmentary sectional view similar to Figure 10 butshowing the parts in an initial stage of their movement toward closedposition; and

Figure 15 is a similar view showing the parts in a still further shiftedposition intermediate those of Figures 14 and 13.

The stand 10 shown in Figures 1-7 inclusiveof the drawings comprises twosections, a forward or lower section 11, and a rearward or upper section12. Each section comprises longitudinal side beams which may beconveniently of channel section as indicated at 14 and 15 in Figure 7.The sections are preferably provided with central or intermediate beams16 and 17 shown in the sectional view designated Figure 1. The forwardend portions of the side beams 14 and the central beam 16 may beconnected by a cross beam 20. The upper rear end of the stand 10 ispreferably pivotally supported at a fixed distance above the ground, forexample, as by being secured to the wall of a gymnasium or otherenclosure, such a wall being indicated at 22. Brackets 23 are fixed inany suitable way to the wall 22 and the stand is pivotally secured tothis bracket as by means of the hinge pins 24 which pass throughregistering openings in the horizontal arm of the bracket and inupwardly extending brackets 25 which are rigidly secured as by weldingto the rearward ends of the beams of the upper frame section 12.

The forward section 11 and the rear section 12 are pivotally connectedtogether by means of aligned, upwardly offset, pivots which provide asort of rule joint between the sections, whereby the correspondingaligned beams of the sections have their ends in abutting relationshipas at 27 when the stand is open as in Figure l, but are swung apartbodily when the stand moves to the position shown in Figure 7. Thespecific means for providing the rule joints will be describedpresently.

Each of the beams of the sections 14, 15, 16 and 17 of the stand areprovided with seat boards 28 and foot boards 29, the seat boards 28being mounted upon the upper ends of seat posts 30 which are secured attheir lower ends, as by welding, to the beams. Horizontal brace bars 31extend from an intermediate point of the seat posts 30 rearwardly to thebeams and are welded thereto. These horizontal posts may be angle stripsand they serve to support the foot boards 29.

The two aligned central beams 16 and 17 which abut at 27 are hingedtogether by the following means. Near the end of the beam 16 there iswelded, as at 31', a pair of spaced plates 32. These plates 32 are alsosecured to the adjacent seat post which may be specifically designated30, as at 33. The plates 32 also underlie the adjacent seat board 28'and may be welded to the metal plate 34 which underlies the seat board.

The plates 32 also extend upwardly behind the seat board and areprovided at these points with registering openings through which thehinge pin 35 passes. Secured to the upper surface of the forward end ofthe rear beam 17 is a plate 38. The plate 38 has an extended horizontalportion 39 at its upper edge upon which rests the foot board 29. Thisboard 29 could not be supported by the usual horizontal bar 31 of theforward section which extends to the seat posts 30 in the other rows,since the hinging of the stand occurs between this par.

Patented Dec. 24, 1957 ticular foot board 29 and the seat 28. Theforward upwardly extending portion of the plate 38 is provided with anopening which receives the hinge pin 35.

The abutting hinged side beams 14 and 15 may be connected by the use ofthe same type of hinge projections as indicated in Figure 7, or any typeof upwardly projecting overlapping arms may be employed at these sidepoints. It is preferred, however, for reasons which will be apparent asthe description proceeds, that the arrangement just described be usedfor the hinging of the central beams 16 and 17, all as shown in Figures2, 3 and 4 of the drawings.

The forward section of the stand is supported, on a line passing throughor reasonably adjacent to the center of gravity of the portion of theweight of the stand not carried by the wall 22, by one or more wheeledcarriages or dollies 45.

In the present illustrated embodiment, wherein the stand is providedwith side beams 14, 15 and central beams 16, 17, there are two of thesedollies provided. The dollies are best illustrated in Figures 1 and 5 ofthe drawings and they will be seen to comprise generally trapezoidalframes consisting of the substantially vertical side posts 46 which mayconveniently be of channel section and the rearwardly inclinedextensions 47 which are provided with projections 48 having openingswhich receive the pivot bar 49. Posts 50 extend upwardly from the sidebeams 14 and the central beam 16 and are provided with openings whichreceive the projecting ends of the pivot bars 49.

The frames of the dollies are cross-braced by the struts 51, 52 and 53.The frames rest upon the base blocks 54 which in turn are supported bysomewhat flexible strips 55 which provide a sort of resilient runninggear for the dolly, the ends of the strips 55 are provided with thedownwardly extending caster-wheel supported brackets 56, the wheelsbeing shown at 57. Thus each half of the grandstand is supported inmobile fashion so that when the stand is folded against the wall, thecarriages or dollies 45 move rearwardly to the position indicated inFigure 7. The dolly carriages are made somewhat resilient so that theymay support the dead load of the stand in a slightly higher positionthan when the stand has occupants, this being for the same purpose asset forth in the earlier filed application and which will be againdeveloped as the present description proceeds.

The principal support for the live load of the stand is afforded by oneor more leg frames which are shown to best advantage in Figures 1 and 6of the drawings.

The frames may be of general rectangular configuration having side posts61, a preferably tubular top cross bar 62, and a foot portion whichcomprises an I-beam 63 and a foot timber 64 which may be covered with apiece of carpet material as indicated at 65. The leg frame may becross-braced by the elements 66, 67 and 68. If desired, the weight ofthe bottom beam 63 may be reduced somewhat by the provision of theopenings 69 in the web thereof.

The leg frames are pivotally carried by the lower portions of the beams15 and 17 of the upper section of the stand, pintle pins 70 beinginsertable in the ends of the top bar 62 and passing through openings inthe side and central beams of the frame.

It will be noted that under the dead weight of the stand, the foot ofthe leg frame is spaced a very slight distance above the floor 72 and alarge proportion of the weight of the stand is taken by the resilientlymounted dolly or carriage 45. However, immediately upon increasing theload, for example by occupancy of the stand, the dolly platform willyield and the foot of the leg frame 60 will rest upon the floor andassume its share of the weight of the stand and its load.

Secured rigidly to the upper end of each of the inwardly disposed sidepieces 61 of the frames 60, as by welding, is the rearwardly projectingarm 75. In the example shown, these arms also incline downwardlysomewhat. Pivotally secured as at 76 to the rear end of each arm is atoggle member 78 of angular configuration having a short horizontal arm79. Depending pivotally from the hinge pivot pin 35 of the standsections are two toggle links 80, these links 80 together straddling thecentral beam 16 of the lower section of the stand as clearly shown inFigure 2 of the drawings. Intermediate the length of the link or lever80 is an arm 81 which is pivotally connected as at 82 with the upper armof the other toggle link 78. The lower end of the lever 80 is connectedby means of the elongated link 85 to the arm 86 of an operating crankpivoted at 37 to the lower forward portion of the stand and having amanually operable lever 88 extending forwardly beneath the first seatboard.

It will be apparent that the leg frame 60 is held in its operativesubstantially vertical position by means of the toggle arrangement whenthe three pivot points of the toggle, namely, points 35, 82 and 76 arein alignment. Upon lifting the hand lever 88 to a substantiallyhorizontal position beneath the front seat and foot boards, theelongated link 85 pulls the lower end of the toggle lever forwardly,thus breaking the toggle by displacement of the central pivot 82forwardly and drawing the pivot point 76 nearer the upper pivot point35. This results in a rearward swing of the leg frame 60 and when theleg has swung sufficiently to clear it from the floor 72, the front endof the stand may be lifted and the two sections collapsed about thepivot point 35, toward the fully collapsed position shown in Figure 7.

The angular configuration of the lower toggle lever 78, 79 permits thelever to abut the pintle 70 and act as a stop means for limiting theforward swing of the leg frame to the vertical position shown in Figures1 and 2.

It is to be noted that there are two toggle operating linkages 85 andtwo cranks 86, one upon each side of the central beam 16, and the levers86 are fulcrumed upon the same cross pin 87. The forwardly extendinghand lever 88 may be a single lever fixed to the cranks 86 or it may bea pair of levers suitably secured together for simultaneous operation.Any suitable locking means may be provided for securing the hand lever88 in its upper and lower positions. It will be noted that this sameprinciple of providing a common actuating means for the two toggles isapplied to the second embodiment of the invention to be describedpresently.

The under-side of the forward portion of the front section 11 of thestand is covered with sheathing 90 which may be of plywood or any othersuitable material. This sheathing may extend as at 91 beneath the footof the front section of the stand. Hinged as at 92 to the rear edge ofthe sheathing 90 is a pivoted sheathing panel 93, which when the standis open for occupancy, hangs downwardly in front of the dolly, as shownin Figure 1 of the drawings. Secured by any suitable means to the frontof the dolly frame 45 is another sheathing panel 94. The height of thispanel is such that when the stand is swung to collapsed or closedposition the hinged panel 93 still depends vertically from the panel 90but is in alignment therewith, and the lower edge of the panel 93contacts the upper edge of the dolly panel 94, the several panelsproviding adequate sheathing or covering for the collapsed stand.

Pivotally connected as at 96 to the wall 22 above the pivotal point ofsupport 24 of the upper section of the stand is a sheathing panel 97.When the stand is open, the panel 97 provides a back rest for theuppermost seat board 28. A rearwardly projecting bracket 98 is fixed tothe upper rearward edge of the stand and has a lip which hooks behindthe lower edge of the panel 97. Thus, since the pivot point 24 of thestand is positioned outwardly from the wall, when the stand swingsrearwardly about this pivot, the bracket 98 will swing upwardly andoutwardly and lift the panel 97 to the position shown in seat board 28,and the foot sheathing 91 of the lower section of the stand all providecovering and protecting means for the top of the stand when the stand isin collapsed position.

In order to lock the stand against movement from collapsed or stowedposition a very simple latching or locking device is provided. Pivotedin a supporting bearing bracket, as suggested at 95 in Figure 7, is arotatable element or spindle 99 which may be rocked in the hearing bymanipulation of the handle end 99a to cause the hook end 9% to engageabout the edge of one of the seats 28 carried by the rearward section15.

The embodiment of the invention shown in Figures 8-15 of the drawingswill now be described. In this form the stand 100 is in three sections,an upper section 101, an intermediate section 102, and a lower section103. In this case, as in the previously described embodiment, the standsections are formed of longitudinally extending beams, the side ones ofwhich may conveniently be formed of channels and the intermediatesection or sections may conveniently be made of I-beams. Brackets 105project from the wall 106 and the upper ends of the beams of theuppermost section 101 are pivoted to these brackets as at 107. The sidebeams of the uppermost section 101 are designated 110, the side beams ofthe intermediate section 102 are indicated at 111, and the side beams ofthe lowermost forward section 103 are shown at 112 in Figure 13 of thedrawings. Since Figure 8 is a sectional view, the intermediate beamsonly are shown in this figure, these intermediate beams preferably beingI-shaped as indicated in Figure 11 of the drawings. The intermediatebeam of the upper section is designated 115, that of the intermediatesection 116, and that of the forward section 117. The several beamscomprising the three grandstand sections are all provided with seatboard supporting posts 120 and foot board supporting horizontal struts121. The seat boards are shown at 122 and the foot boards at 123.Cross-connecting braces may be provided as desired.

The stand shown in Figure 8 is of large capacity, fourteen rows ofspectators being accommodated thereon. In order to provide this greatlength and at the same time keep the rearward pivot point at areasonable distance above the ground, and also to provide for collapsingthe stand against the wall, three sections are provided the sectionsbeing connected by two intermediate pivots. The uppermost section 101and the intermediate section 102 are hinged together by means of thepintle 125 which is offset from the plane of the stand, verticalplate-like struts 126 from the intermediate stand and a plate 127 fromthe upper stand being provided to carry the pivot points upwardly fromthe plane of the stand to provide a rule joint connection.

The abutting edges of the intermediate section 102 and the forwardsection 103 are pivoted at 130. It will be noted that the pivot point130 is disposed adjacent the lower surface of the stand since this pivotpoint moves upwardly when the stand is collapsed and the sectionsseparate at their upper edges as the movement progresses.

The intermediate section of the stand is provided with the wheeledcarriage or dolly 132 which comprises the vertical frame 133 mountedupon the spring carriage 134 which is supported by the ground wheels135. The upper end of the dolly is pivoted to the central portion of thestand section 102 as at 136. The forward end of the rear section 101 ofthe stand is supported by the leg frames 140 having the foot boards 141which contact with the ground when the stand sustains a live load.Adjacent the junction of the intermediate and forward stand sections 102and 103 a shorter leg frame 142 is provided and this frame may be incontact with the ground at all times since during the collapsingmovement, this leg rises from the ground and does not have to be buckledor swung out of the way to permit the stand sections to move. Theforward end of the stand has a bottom board which rests upon the floor,and a bracket 145 extends 1,6 upwardly from the front edge of theforward section in association with the inclined forward seat post 121A.This bracket carries a wheel or roller 147 which rolls along the flooror ground 150 when the stand is collapsed.

The various joints and connections of the stand as Well as the means formanipulating the leg frames 140 will now be described. The joint betweenthe front and intermediate sections of the stand is shown clearly inFigure 9 of the drawings. Since the pivoting of the ends of the sidebeams 111 and 112 at 130A may be identical or quite similar to thepivoting of the intermediate beams 116 and 117, a description of theconnection shown in Figure 9 will sufiice. Preferably the lines ofjunction of the two beams are inclined and end plates 151 and 152 may bewelded to the ends of the beam webs and flanges. This inclinationpermits the foot board supporting bar 121 to have plenty of bearingcontact upon the forward beam 117 and at the same time accommodate theplate 154 which is welded to the sides of the flanges of the forwardbeam 117 but overlaps the lower edge of the end of the beam 116. Thereis welded to the lower flange of the forward end of the beam 116 acylindrical or tubular member 155 which fits between the side plates 154of the forward beam. Openings are provided in the plates 154 whichregister with the bore of the tubular element 155 and a pivot pin 130passes through these openings and provides the hinging pintle for thestand sections at this point. The pintle also serves to support theupper end of the leg 142.

In the right-hand portion of Figure 9 there is shown in enlarged detailthe pivoting of the dolly 132 to the intermediate stand section 102 atthe central portion thereof. The beam 116 has a side plate 157 securedthereto and the beam web and the plate 157 are preferably both providedwith registering openings for receiving the pin 136. A transverse plate158 is secured as by welding against the web of the beam 116 and withinthe space between the upper and lower flanges thereof and may also bewelded to the side plate 157.

The hinging of the rear and intermediate stand sections 101 and 102 atthe point 125 will be clearly understood from an inspection of Figures10 and 11 of the drawings. The posts 126 and 127 extending up to thehinge point from the respective beams have already been described, andit will be seen that a side plate 160 and a transverse end plate 161have been secured to the end of the upper beam 115. The side plates 160are provided with registering openings adapted to receive the pintles163 which serve to pivotally connect leg frames 140 to the standsection. These frames are similar to those described in connection withthe first embodiment of the invention and are provided with verticallyextending pieces 165, horizontal top pieces 166 which are preferablytubular and provided with openings to receive the pintle 163, and thediagonal bracing elements 167. Fixed to the upper ends of the inwardlydisposed side pieces of the leg frames are the rearwardly extending arms170. A toggle lever 172 is pivoted at 173 to the rear end of each ofthese arms and a companion toggle lever 175 extends from the stand pivot125 to an intermediate pivot 176 where it joins the other toggle element172. The upper toggle member 175 is provided with a forwardly anddownwardly extending arm 178 to the lower end of which is attached atoggle actuating cable 180. The toggle levers are duplicated upon eachside of the beam 115 as clearly shown in Figure 11 of the drawings.

The operating cables 180 extend along each side of the beams 116 and 117and pass through guide openings in the plates 158 disposed adjacent thedolly pivot 136 and through similar openings in the plates 151 and 152adjacent the forward pivot 130 of the stand. The forward ends of thecables 180 are secured to a crank arm 182 pivoted as at 183 to the footboard supports at the front end of the stand and a hand lever 185 servesto swing the cranks 132 to pull the cables 180. Of course,

where but one hand lever is employed for actuating the two toggles, thehand lever and crank arm combination must straddle the forward beamsection 117, in a manner similar to that described in connection withthe first described embodiment. The cables 180 are reeved through theeyes 186 of eye-bolts fixed to the beams 116 and 117 at points as closeas possible to the point of repose (in the extended position of thestand) of the outer end of the arm 178 of the lever 175. Thus, in thisposition of repose the cable retains the toggle in locked condition,free from tampering or accidental dislocation. When one of the operatinglevers 185 is moved downwardly, however, the attached cable 180 isslackened so that the toggle can break, and the arm 178 be displacedslightly forwardly. When the stand is collapsed, the cables 180 willstill lie alongside of the central beams, being retained at its bight bythe openings in the plates 151 and 152.

In order to swing the leg frame 140 rearwardly after the toggle isreleased, there is provided a cable 187 which has one end secured to abracket 18S fixed to the lower rearward end of the intermediate beam116. The cable 187 passes forwardly around a U-bracket 189 whichstraddles the space between the adjoining leg frames 140 and extendssomewhat forwardly of. the planes of the leg frames. The arms of thebracket 189 may be passed through openings in the uprights 165 of theleg frames and secured by bolts 19%. The cable 187 passes around apulley 191 carried by a bracket 192 fixed to the floor 150 or the wall1136 in the corner at the junction thereof. The cable 186 then passesforwardly to a point where it is accessible from the front end of thestand. It will be clearly understood that tugging upon the forward endof the cable 137 will pull the leg frames 140 rearwardly and start themon their way to the inverted position which they occupy when the standsare folded as clearly shown in Figure 13 of the drawings.

In order to sheathe the stand when it is in folded position thefollowing means are provided. A fixed sheathing panel 195 is secured tothe fioor adjacent the wall 106, and hinged as at 196 to this section isa panel 197 which, when the stand is collapsed, may be lifted tovertical position about the hinge 196 as shown in Fig ure 13.

A top panel 198 is hinged as at 199 to the wall 106 and this paneloccupies a raised position in Figure 8 wherein it may provide a backrest for the uppermost seat board. When the stand is collapsed, thepanel 198 may be lowered to the closed position shown in Figure 13.

Figure 14 shows the position of the various parts just after the togglehas been broken and the leg frame 140 may be swung slightly rearwardlyby the pull exerted by the cable 187. Further separating movement of thestand sections m1 and 102, as shown in Figure of the drawings, willserve to swing the leg frames 14!) still further in a rearward andupward direction around the pivot 163 and the leg frame will finallyoccupy the inverted position shown in Figure 13. The movement of theforward leg 142 is much simpler, this leg merely rising and followingthe arcuate movement of the pintle 130 to its final suspended positionshown in Figure 13.

Of course, during the collapsing of the stand the dolly 132 rollsrearwardly toward the wall 106 supporting the bulk of the weight of thestand at its approximate center of gravity, while the intermediatesection 102 rotates in a clockwise direction around the pivotal point ofsupport 136.

It is understood that various changes and alterations may be made in theembodiment illustrated and described herein without departing from thescope of the invention as determined by the following claims.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new and desiredto be secured by Letters Patent is:

1. A folding grandstand comprising, in Combination, a supporting framecomprising at least two sections horizontally hinged together at theiradjacent edges, the frame adapted when opened for use to occupy a planeof gradual inclination to the horizontal with the lower forward end ofthe forward section resting adjacent the ground surface, a pivotalsupport for the rearward section, a hinge pintle pivotally securing therearward section to the next adjacent section and disposed at a pointupwardly of the median plane of the frame at least as far as the uppersurface thereof, whereby the rearward and next adjacent sections may befolded toward collapsed position one against the other in relativelyupward rotary directions with respect to the axes of the pintleconnecting them, a supporting leg for the stand pivotally connected atits upper end to the rearward frame section at a point adjacent thelower edge thereof and below the axis of said pintle, an arm fixed tothe upper portion of said leg and extending in a generally rearwarddirection, a toggle connection between said hinge pintle and therearwardly projecting end of said arm, said toggle connection consistingof two links having their adjacent ends pivotally connected with eachother, one end of one of said links being permanently pivotallyconnected with said rearwardly projecting end of said arm, and theopposite end of the other of said links permanently and directlypivotally connected with said hinge pintle itself, and means other thanthe movement of the stand itself for breaking said toggle to permit theswinging of said leg toward the plane of the stand to enable the standto be collapsed.

2. A folding grandstand comprising, in combination, a supporting framecomprising at least two sections horizontally hinged together at theiradjacent edges, the frame adapted when opened for use to occupy a planeof gradual inclination to the horizontal with the lower forward end ofthe forward section resting adjacent the ground surface, a pivotalsupport for the upper rearward portion of the rearward sectionmaintained at a fixed elevation. above ground level as upon the wall ofan enclosure, a hinge pintle pivotally securing the rearward section tothe next adjacent section and disposed at a point upwardly of the medianplane of the frame at least as far as the upper surface thereof, wherebythe rearward and next adjacent sections may be folded toward collapsedposition against said wall one against the other in relatively upwardrotary directions with respect to the axis of the pintle connectingthem, a supporting leg for the stand pivotally connected at its upperend to the rearward frame section at a point adjacent the lower edgethereof and below the axis of said pintle, an arm fixed to the upperportion of said leg and extending in a generally rearward direction, atoggle connection between said hinge pintle and the rearwardlyprojecting end of said arm, means other than the movement of the standitself for breaking said toggle to permit the swinging of said legrearwardly toward the plane of the stand to enable the stand to becollapsed, and separate means also other than the movement of the standitself for so swinging said leg.

3. A folding grandstand comprising, in combination, a supporting framecomprising at least two sections horizontally hinged together at theiradjacent edges, the frame adapted when opened for use to occupy a planeof gradual inclination to the horizontal with the lower forward end ofthe forward section resting adjacent the ground surface, a pivotalsupport for the upper rearward portion of the rearward sectionmaintained at a fixed elevation above ground level as upon the wall ofan enclosure, a hinge pintle pivotally securing the rearward section tothe next adjacent section and disposed at a point upwardly of the medianplane of the frame at least as far as the upper surface thereof, wherebythe rearward and next adjacent sections may be folded toward collapsedposition against the wall one against the other in relatively upwardrotary directions with respect to the axis of the pintle connectingthem, a supporting leg for the stand pivotally connected at its upperend to the rearward frame section at a point adjacent the lower edgethereof and below the axis of said pintle, an arm fixed to the upperportion of said leg and extending in a generally rearward direction, atoggle connection between said hinge pintle and the rearwardlyprojecting end of said arm, means for breaking said toggle to permit theswinging of said leg rearwardly toward the plane of the stand to enablethe stand to be collapsed, and separate means for so swinging said leg,said last-named means comprising a strand having one end secured to saidforward section, said strand passing freely about an intermediatehorizontal part of the leg, thence about a pulley secured to the lowerportion of the wall, and the other end of said strand passing to theforward end of the stand for access by the operator.

4. A folding grandstand comprising, in combination, a supporting framecomprising a plurality of sections horizontally hinged together at theiradjacent edges, the frame adapted when opened for use to occupy a planeof gradual inclination to the horizontal with the lower forward end ofthe forward section resting adjacent the ground surface, a pivotalsupport for the rearward section, a hinge pintle pivotally securing therearward section to the next adjacent section, a supporting leg for thestand pivotally connected at its upper end to an intermediate portion ofthe stand, means for swinging said leg toward the plane of the stand toenable the stand to be collapsed, said means comprising a flexiblestrand operatively connected with said leg and having a portionaccessible at the forward end of the stand.

5. A folding grandstand comprising, in combination, a supporting framecomprising a plurality of sections horizontally hinged together at theiradjacent edges, the frame adapted when opened for use to occupy a planeof gradual inclination to the horizontal with the lower forward end ofthe forward section resting adjacent the ground surface, a pivotalsupport for the upper rearward portion of the reaward section maintainedat a fixed elevation above ground level as upon the wall of anenclosure, a hinge pintle pivotally securing the rearward section to thenext adjacent section, a supporting leg for the stand pivotallyconnected at its upper end to the rearward frame section at a pointadjacent the lower edge thereof, means for swinging said leg rearwardlytoward the plane of the stand to enable the stand to be collapsed, saidmeans comprising a strand having one end secured to said forwardsection, said strand passing freely about an intermediate horizontalpart of the leg, thence about a pulley secured to the lower portion ofthe wall, and the other end of said strand passing to the forward end ofthe stand for access by the operator.

6. A folding grandstand comprising, in combination, a supporting framecomprising at least two sections horizontally hinged together at theiradjacent edges, the frame adapted when opened for use to occupy a planeof gradual inclination to the horizontal with the lower forward end ofthe forward section resting adjacent the ground surface, a pivotalsupport for the rearward section, a hinge pintle pivotally securing therearward section to the next adjacent section and disposed at a pointupwardly of the median plane of the frame at least as far as the uppersurface thereof, whereby the rearward and next adjacent sections may befolded toward collapsed position one against the other in relativelyupward rotary directions with respect to the axis of the pintleconnecting them, a supporting leg for the stand pivotally connected atits upper end to the rearward frame section at a point adjacent thelower edge thereof and below the axis of said pintle, an arm fixed tothe upper portion of said leg and extending in a generally rearwarddirection, a toggle connection between said hinge pintle and therearwardly projecting end of said arm, means for breaking said toggle topermit the swinging of said leg toward the plane of the stand to enablethe stand to be collapsed, said toggle breaking means comprising astrand connected at one end to an intermediate point on the toggle,reeved through guides at the forwardly disposed joints between standsections, and terminating in manual actuating means at the front end ofthe stand.

7. A folding grandstand comprising, in combination, a supporting framecomprising at least two sections horizontally hinged together at theiradjacent edges, the frame adapted when opened for use to occupy a planeof gradual inclination to the horizontal with the lower forward end ofthe forward section resting adjacent the ground surface, a pivotalsupport for the rearward section, a hinge pintle pivotally securing therearward section to the next adjacent section and disposed at a pointupwardly of the median plane of the frame at least as far as the uppersurface thereof, whereby the rearward and next adjacent sections may befolded toward collapsed position one against the other in relativelyupward rotary directions with respect to the axis of the pintleconnecting them, a supporting leg for the stand pivotally con nected atits upper end to the rearward frame section at a point adjacent thelower edge thereof and below the axis of said pintle, an arm fixed tothe upper portion of said leg and extending in a generally rearwarddirection, a toggle connection between said hinge pintle and therearwardly projecting end of said arm, means for breaking said toggle topermit the swinging of said leg rearwardly toward the plane of the standto enable the stand to be collapsed, at least one arm of said toggleconstructed and positioned so as to abut the pivot of said leg at apoint in the forward swing thereof to limit its movement to the normalvertical operative position thereof.

8. A folding grandstand comprising, in combination, a supporting framecomprising at least two sections horizontally hinged together at theiradjacent edges, the frame adapted when opened for use to occupy a planeof gradual inclination to the horizontal with the lower forward end ofthe forward section resting adjacent the ground surface, adjoiningsections having aligned longitudinal beams, the adjacent ends of saidbeams being in abutting relationship, a rule joint hingedly connectingsaid beam ends, said joints comprising posts extending upwardly fromsaid respective beam ends in transversely overlapping relation, a pintleextending through aligned openings in said posts, a normally verticalsupporting leg pivoted at its upper end to said stand near the jointupon each side of said beam, an arm rigidly secured to the upper end ofeach leg and extending rearwardly therefrom, a pair of toggle devicesconnecting the ends of said arms with said pintle and straddling theaxis of said beams, each of said toggles consisting of two links havingtheir adjacent ends pivotally connected with each other, one end of oneof said links being permanently pivotally connected with said rearwardlyprojecting end of said arm, and the opposite end of the other of saidlinks per manently and directly pivotally connected with said hingepintle itself, and actuating means for the toggle devices extendingalong both sides of the aligned beams to the front end of the stand.

9. A folding grandstand comprising, in combination, a supporting framecomprising at least two sections horizontally hinged together at theiradjacent edges, the frame adapted when opened for use to occupy a planeof gradual inclination to the horizontal with the lower forward end ofthe forward section resting adjacent the ground surface, adjoiningsections having aligned longitudinal beams, the adjacent ends of saidbeams being in abutting relationship, a rule joint hingedly connectingsaid beam ends, said joints comprising plate-like posts welded to andextending upwardly from said respective beam ends in transverselyoverlapping relation, a pintle extending through aligned openings insaid posts, a normally vertical supporting leg pivoted at its upper endto the rearward section of said stand near the joint upon each side ofsaid beam, an arm rigidly secured to the upper end of each leg andextending appropriately horizontally and rearwardly therefrom, a pair oftoggles connecting the ends of said arms with said pintle and straddlingthe rearward one of said beams, a common actuating crank lever devicestraddling the forward end of the forward beam, locking means for saiddevice, and means extending along both sides of said forward beam andconnecting said device with an intermediate point on each of saidtoggles.

10. A folding grandstand comprising, in combination, a supporting framecomprising a forward and a rearward section horizontally hinged togetherat their adjacent edges, the frame adapted when opened for use to occupya plane of gradual inclination to the horizontal with the lower forwardend of the forward section resting adjacent the ground surface, a hingepintle pivotally securing said sections together whereby the sectionsmay be folded toward collapsed position one against the other, and adevice for locking said stand in collapsed position, said device beingpermanently and rotatably secured to one section of the stand at a pointspaced longitudinally from the hinge pintle and having a hooked endadapted to engage behind a projecting part of the other section which iscorrespondingly spaced from said pintle and disposed adjacent the devicewhen the stand is in collapsed position.

11. A folding grandstand comprising, in combination, a supporting framecomprising at least two hinged sections and adapted when opened for useto occupy a plane of gradual inclination to the horizontal with thelower forward end of the stand resting adjacent the ground surface, eachof the frame sections including longitudinally extending beams alignedwith a beam of the adjoining section, vertical seat posts secured atspaced intervals along said beams, transversely extending seat boardssupported by the seat posts, a hinge pintle pivotally securing saidsections together whereby the sections may be folded toward collapsedposition one against the other with the seat posts and seat boards ofeach ection projecting toward and interdigitated with those of the othersection, a device for locking said stand in collapsed position, saiddevice comprising a spindle mounted for rocking movement upon one ofsaid beams at a point spaced from said hinge pintle and having a hookedend adapted to engage about one of the seats of the other section whichis adjacent said device when the stand is collapsed.

12. A folding grandstand comprising, in combination, a supporting framecomprising a series of sections horizontally hinged together at theiradjacent edges, said sections carrying a plurality of seats andassociated foot rests, the total of said sections equaling an odd numberi rearward section, which support is maintained at a fixed elevationabove ground surface, successive hinge pintles between the sectionsalternating from an upward position at a point upwardly of the medianplane of the open frame at least as far as the upper surface thereof toa downward position at a point downwardly of the median plane of theframe at least as far as the lower surface thereof with the pintlebetween the extreme rearward section and the next forward section havingan upward position, whereby the sections may be folded toward collapsedposition one against the other in relatively upward and downward rotarydirections with respect to the pintle axes, a generally upright memberpivotally connected at its upper end to each of the evennumberedsections of said series intermediate the ends of said sections, aplatform rigidly secured to the lower end of said member, said platformcarrying wheels positioned both forwardly and rearwardly of a verticalplane through the axis of pivotal connection of said member to saidsection, said wheels rolling on said ground surface, the maximumelevation of said platform being relatively small, the lower ends ofsaid sections, at least in the region in alignment longitudinally of theframe with said platform when the frame is collapsed, terminating at apoint above said ground surface at least slightly higher than themaximum elevation of the platform, whereby when collapsed the sectionsmay fit closely together in generally parallel relationship, withoutbeing obstructed by said platform.

13. The grandstand of claim 12 wherein the forward ends of the extremeforward section are provided with ground wheels in a position out ofalignment longitudinally of the frame with the wheel carrying platform.

14. The grandstand of claim 13 including displaceable normallysubstantially vertical leg frames supporting the stand at pointsadjacent the pintles, and means other than the movement of the standitself for swinging the leg frames adjacent those pintles connecting theforward end of an odd-numbered section to the rearward end of aneven-numbered section.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS1,067,440 Paquette July 15, 1913 1,811,708 Bessler June 23, 19312,018,887 Fowler Oct. 29, 1935 2,030,776 Vance Feb. 11, 1936 2,054,960Adamson Sept. 22, 1936 2,147,564 Vance Feb. 14, 1939 2,176,731 ClaireOct. 17, 1939 2,245,825 Rose June 17, 1941 FOREIGN PATENTS 29,297Austria July 25, 1907

